Luka Modric to continue with AC Milan and Croatia at 41 | OneFootball

Luka Modric will continue for AC Milan and Croatia at 41, choosing to play on after speculation of international retirement following the recent World Cup.

New Croatia manager Slaven Bilic said: "I spoke to Modric for a long time. Three hours in Zadar and then I let him go. Explaining his role would just be repetition. You saw last night against Juventus. He is still the most important player for Milan. I'm not just talking about football. He is still the best... There was no persuasion. He will play at a pace that suits him. Not for us, but for him." He told Tuttosport.

"He won't play all four games. He will have to follow a rhythm that suits him and us, similar to what he maintains at Milan. We must respect him, because it is the best solution for everyone," the coach explained.

Bilic’s first squad includes familiar figures such as Modric and Mateo Kovacic, alongside Josko Gvardiol. Dominik Livakovic has joined Barcelona and has not featured yet this season.

Croatia visit the Czech Republic on 26 September, then travel to face world and European champions Spain on 29 September. England come to Rijeka on 3 October, before Spain visit Split on 6 October.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”